Hyundai i30 - new inspiration
Just 3 years after the launch of the i30, Hyundai decided to facelift this model. The i30 thus became the first model in the i-series (“i” for inspiration) to be touched by the anti-aging scalpel from Rüsselsheim. However, under the rejuvenated face, the technique is almost the same as before the changes.
Well, no revolution. Who said she has to be? The restyled model was supposed to adopt all the strengths of its predecessor, refresh some elements in the body and interior, emphasize the advantages of the car and increase the competitiveness of the model in the market. The new i30 received modified bumpers that increased the length of the car by 35 mm, a new air intake and increased sills. Honestly, I expected to see more changes after the facelift, especially the front of the car. Already in the first i30, the Korean roots of the brand were clearly visible in the form of headlights and air intakes - especially in contrast to the much more European rest of the car. Here, in my opinion, the designers could fool around a little more, sharpening the scratches on the headlights and thus harmonizing the overall look as a whole.
The i30's long wheelbase and width, combined with Hyundai's well-established interior layout art, created the perfect effect of large interior space. This catches the eye even before the eye begins to notice the differences between the car before and after the facelift. And there are many differences because many parts have changed. You can see that the i30 is a European car built from the ground up for an Old World driver. All knobs and switches are in place and intuitively controlled. The steering wheel is adjustable in two planes, the sports seats are comfortable and the gearshift lever is in place - everything in this car fits right after leaving the Hyundai Motor Company parking lot. This is a big plus for a car designed for the mass market.
Test cars are usually well equipped and "mine" is no exception. 1,6 CRDI engine, automatic air conditioning, leather and textile sports seats, full electrics - only reverse sensors are missing. Usually the higher versions are accompanied by better finish materials and by doing the traditional "touch" plastic, I'm convinced that it's not bad - the plastic is pleasant to the touch, well-fitted and soft where we expect it to be. It is worth realizing what tremendous success the Kia-Hyundai concern has achieved. Not many years have passed since the release of cheap and budget cars, and today I drive a car that competes with the most important players in the compact class. Even when closed, the door emits a pleasant dull sound, as if confirming that everything in this model is tightened in accordance with the design.
However, the fly in the ointment in any car is the most basic - the steering wheel. At the Czech Hyundai plant in Nosovice, did anyone make a mistake when installing a plastic steering wheel made of an unpleasant, rough material? The steering wheel, which threatens to stick me with a splinter, is installed here in accordance with the design of the version for almost 70.000 zlotys? It's bad either way. As luck would have it, the temperature outside did not want to drop below zero, so I could protect myself from this misunderstanding by wearing gloves.
However, they were not needed. Even before I got to Krakow, I forgave Hyundai this failure. Diesel engine with a volume of 1,6 and a power of 115 hp. must support less than 1,3 tons of the car's own weight and is an excellent proposition for drivers who appreciate the so-called. "Golden mean" between dynamics and efficiency. It has enough power and torque to easily accelerate the car to almost 190 km / h, and acceleration to hundreds takes 11,5 seconds. However, I did not check the above values, as I was primarily interested in the results of the average fuel consumption. At 130 km/h on the highway, the engine did not surprise me, consuming 6 liters per 100 km, but it was enough to reduce the speed of movement to a maximum of 100 km/h to reduce fuel consumption to 5,2 l/100. km. The biggest surprise was waiting for me in the city, when, despite my intensified attempts to get into traffic jams in Krakow, I did not manage to exceed the limit of 5,8 l / 100 km. For a C-class car, which does not need 25 seconds to a hundred - very well. I also like the excellent 6-speed manual transmission. The lever travel is short and very precise - it is almost impossible to make a mistake when shifting gears, which is not a standard even in the latest models from other manufacturers. Gear ratios could be slightly longer, because at 100 km / h in 6th gear, the speed already reaches 2000 / min.
After the first thaws, the road workers had not yet had time to repair all the roads in Krakow, so the i30 faced a difficult task. Firstly, when I rode every bump, he had to prove that he had excellent suspension and steering, and he coped with this task with an A. It also handles tight corners without stuttering, occasionally showing only slight understeer. The Progressive Power Steering also does a great job, significantly increasing steering resistance at higher speeds and making city maneuvering as easy as possible. Later, when a car blocked in the next lane, I had to drive into a hole, it turned out that the i30 suspension “swallowed” this obstacle without any problems. On smooth pavement, driving takes place in conditions of good sound insulation of the cabin - neither the suspension nor the engine make excessive noise, which allows you to have a quiet conversation without raising your voice, even at higher speeds on the highway. Koreans have nothing to be ashamed of in this regard.
As I already mentioned, there was no parking sensors in the test sample, but in practice this does not really matter. The rear window is quite large and gives you a great feel for where the rear bumper ends. Parking is even more pleasant, because the car has large side mirrors and is extremely maneuverable, as if despite the long wheelbase. I have a test carousel near my house, which easily shows itself in this competition, and this model surprised me very positively.
The pre-facelift version was already selling well, with an impressive 200.000 cars sold. To raise the bar, Hyundai provides a 30-year warranty on the i5 and the same period of service and support. Combined with the car's attractive price, starting at a promotional price of PLN 45 for the petrol version and PLN 100 for the diesel version, Hyundai gains strong arguments in the fight for the buyer. The future will show if buyers will forgive i minor flaws, as the overall balance of this model is definitely positive.
